Book smart?!….Apple announces new M4 MacBook Pro models & updated MacBook Air….

[AllGold]

sekker wrote:
[quote=Black]
[quote=gabester]
[quote=Black]
Would love a new less clunky form factor for Macbook Air.

Less clunky? I feel like the MBA chassis introduced with the M2 in '22 is still the epitome of laptop design. Were you looking for something with diagonals or curves - because those don't use space very efficiently, resulting in - you guessed it - a bigger laptop.

I like that the design language for the MBA and the 14" and 16" MBP looks like they came from the same place; although I do get the "hot rod" appeal of the wedge shape of the previous MBA, I just think the style detracted from its utility.

I also appreciate that the M4 (non Pro/Max) chip in the 14" MBP can natively support multiple external monitors - this really differentiates it from the MBA M3 13/15" models. It really feels like the entire M3 generation of devices was just buying time; too bad Apple didn't ship them all with 16GB of RAM as it's clear Apple Intelligence is going to need it going forward.

This also suggests the CPU lineup going forward might work much like Intel's vaunted tick-tock cycle with alternating years of architecture improvements and refinements, with the M5 going to the MBA and the M6 to the Pro laptops. Yes, too big and too square and too heavy for me. Would jump at something closer to my current 11" MBA.
I agree. I think the 'wedge' MBA form factor is quite a bit nicer than the current, 'square' 13" or 15" MBA designs. Nicer to carry around actually.
I agree as well. I think the tapered form factor of the 13" MBA I used to have was really nice.

[Gareth]

Spiff wrote:
My wish has been fulfilled. Now I just need to find the scratch to get a new MBP M4 14". My 2015 MBP is heavy, cannot be upgraded, and has poor battery life (less than 2 hours working straight).

Just be aware that the Mx MBP's are HEAVY BEASTS!

I.e.
2015 13" MBP: 3.48 lbs
M4 14" MBP: 3.4 / 3.5 / 3.6 lbs

2015 15" MBP: 4.49 lbs
M4 16" MBP: 4.7 lbs

So, you only really "save" weight if you going from a 15" to a 14".

[Gareth]

AllGold wrote:
[quote=sekker]
[quote=Black]
Yes, too big and too square and too heavy for me. Would jump at something closer to my current 11" MBA.

I agree. I think the 'wedge' MBA form factor is quite a bit nicer than the current, 'square' 13" or 15" MBA designs. Nicer to carry around actually.
I agree as well. I think the tapered form factor of the 13" MBA I used to have was really nice.
The tapered MBA's had huge bezels and a lot of wasted space. I was surprised how much smaller the 13" M2 Air is compared to the M1 (Original) Intel version and how insignificantly larger it is compared to a MBA 11" (and so much more useful - I always hated the resolution on the MBA 11").

[Black]

Around the time I bought (then returned) an M1 MBA I'm pretty sure I picked up an M2 and didn't find it much different, but may have to take another look.

[sekker]

Gareth wrote:
[quote=AllGold]
[quote=sekker]
[quote=Black]
Yes, too big and too square and too heavy for me. Would jump at something closer to my current 11" MBA.

I agree. I think the 'wedge' MBA form factor is quite a bit nicer than the current, 'square' 13" or 15" MBA designs. Nicer to carry around actually.
I agree as well. I think the tapered form factor of the 13" MBA I used to have was really nice.
The tapered MBA's had huge bezels and a lot of wasted space. I was surprised how much smaller the 13" M2 Air is compared to the M1/Intel version and how insignificantly larger it is compared to a MBA 11" (and so much more useful - I always hated the resolution on the MBA 11").
I just looked at my wife's beloved M1 MBA 13. The only large bezel is on the top.

I stand by that Apple lost a true signature design when they abandoned the iconic wedge.

And I think they will get bored with all of these 'square' designs and bring it back someday.

[sekker]

Gareth wrote:
[quote=Spiff]
My wish has been fulfilled. Now I just need to find the scratch to get a new MBP M4 14". My 2015 MBP is heavy, cannot be upgraded, and has poor battery life (less than 2 hours working straight).

Just be aware that the Mx MBP's are HEAVY BEASTS!

I.e.
2015 13" MBP: 3.48 lbs
M4 14" MBP: 3.4 / 3.5 / 3.6 lbs

2015 15" MBP: 4.49 lbs
M4 16" MBP: 4.7 lbs

So, you only really "save" weight if you going from a 15" to a 14".
Agree 100%. I'm typing on a 14" MBP. It's a great machine, but really a match for the older 15" Intel MBPs. The 16" is really a match for the old 'Lapzilla' models - I loved my 17" G4 Mac laptop!

[davester]

sekker wrote:
[quote=Gareth]
[quote=Spiff]
My wish has been fulfilled. Now I just need to find the scratch to get a new MBP M4 14". My 2015 MBP is heavy, cannot be upgraded, and has poor battery life (less than 2 hours working straight).

Just be aware that the Mx MBP's are HEAVY BEASTS!

I.e.
2015 13" MBP: 3.48 lbs
M4 14" MBP: 3.4 / 3.5 / 3.6 lbs

2015 15" MBP: 4.49 lbs
M4 16" MBP: 4.7 lbs

So, you only really "save" weight if you going from a 15" to a 14".
Agree 100%. I'm typing on a 14" MBP. It's a great machine, but really a match for the older 15" Intel MBPs. The 16" is really a match for the old 'Lapzilla' models - I loved my 17" G4 Mac laptop!
That's how I see it. All the comparison sites are comparing the 15" MBA to the 16" MBP. That doesn't make sense to me. IMHO the sweet spot portable size and the weight/size equivalent for the 15" MBA is the 14" MBP. I'm just trying to decide whether I'd be happy going down an inch from my 15" MBP to the 14" MBP or whether I'd be happier moving to a 15" MBA. I'm' not even considering a 16" MBP monster, which I regard to be more of a desktop machine.

[Gareth]

sekker wrote:
[quote=Gareth]
The tapered MBA's had huge bezels and a lot of wasted space. I was surprised how much smaller the 13" M2 Air is compared to the M1 Original Intel version and how insignificantly larger it is compared to a MBA 11" (and so much more useful - I always hated the resolution on the MBA 11").

I just looked at my wife's beloved M1 MBA 13. The only large bezel is on the top.

I stand by that Apple lost a true signature design when they abandoned the iconic wedge.

And I think they will get bored with all of these 'square' designs and bring it back someday.
My mistake, I forgot there was actually a case revision to the 13" MBA for the last round of Intel machines and the M1 that slimmed it down. I was thinking of the original 11/13" MBA cases.

[AllGold]

Gareth wrote:
[quote=sekker]
[quote=Gareth]
The tapered MBA's had huge bezels and a lot of wasted space. I was surprised how much smaller the 13" M2 Air is compared to the M1 Original Intel version and how insignificantly larger it is compared to a MBA 11" (and so much more useful - I always hated the resolution on the MBA 11").

I just looked at my wife's beloved M1 MBA 13. The only large bezel is on the top.

I stand by that Apple lost a true signature design when they abandoned the iconic wedge.

And I think they will get bored with all of these 'square' designs and bring it back someday.
My mistake, I forgot there was actually a case revision to the 13" MBA for the last round of Intel machines and the M1 that slimmed it down. I was thinking of the original 11/13" MBA cases.
Plus, the 13" M1 MBA with its tapered edges is a lot more aerodynamic if you want to throw it like a frisbee, so there's that. :terror::burnout:

[rich in distress]

Hey! What happened to Danno?